You can make espresso drinks that are just as good, if not better than the coffee shop. Starbucks makes great espresso, and with a corporate value of over 27 Billion dollars in 2010, it seems that their customers know it. However, Starbucks is selling convenience and atmosphere as much as they are selling great coffee. With a basic home espresso machine, and a little practice, you can easily make all of your favorite drinks at home including café mochas, lattes, cappuccinos, and even cold drinks like iced lattes and blended iced drinks.

Steps

Make sure the grind is evenly distributed, fills the basket, and creates a small mound on top of the filter basket.

3

To level the coffee grinds, pat them down with your palm so that they create a flat surface that is level with the top of the filter basket.

4

Wipe off any remnants on the rim of the basket.

5

Place the tamper on the center of the grinds.

6

Press down firmly and evenly with 35-40 pounds of force.

7

Tap the portafilter to knock off any remnants.

8

Tamp a second time with less force.

9

Lock the portafilter into the machine.

10

Ensure that there is enough water in the tank.

11

Place two espresso shot glasses or your cup directly under the portafilter.

12

Press the extraction button for single shot or double shot depending on the filter size you have in the basket.

13

Observe the pressure meter and count the number of seconds the full extraction takes. The meter should rise to the center, and the extraction should ideally run between 20 and 25 seconds.

14

If using a clear glass, observe the depth of the layers that form. Crema should be on the top (light brown foam), the “Body” is a central layer that is a medium brown, and the “Heart” is the bottom layer that looks like black coffee.

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Video

This video will show you how to use a home espresso machine to extract espresso. Other steps in the process include grinding the beans, tamping the grinds, and frothing milk - fundamental steps for making espresso drinks.

Tips

Making good espresso takes practice to get a feel for the process and technique.

Always grind the espresso beans immediately before you extract the espresso.